Slaughter 'violates' rule on eligibility?

MANILA, Philippines - Opposition to Big man Greg Slaughter’s much-anticipated UAAP stint mounts as some members of the eligibility committee are reportedly keen on pursuing the issue that the former University of Visayas standout “violated” a residency rule by playing for the national team.

The UAAP prohibits players serving their residency to suit up for other teams in other leagues.

Ateneo, through Season 74 UAAP president Ricky Palou, maintained that Slaughter’s stint with the Smart Gilas Phl squad in last year’s Asian Games should not affect his eligibility as the rule applies to those playing for another team, not the national squad.

But a source claimed that while the UAAP indeed passed a clause allowing a player to see action for the Phl five while undergoing residency, it would only take effect this year.

“The board approved a clause that players undergoing residency could not play in any league ‘except for the national team’ in its last board meeting. But it was also clarified in the same meeting that the clause will be proactive, not retroactive, which means it could not correct or rectify past violations,” said The STAR source.

Slaughter has completed his one-year residency required for transferees. But according to the source, Ateneo reportedly failed to ask the UAAP for permission to allow the former Lancer to play for Smart Gilas in the 2010 Guangzhou Asiad squad.

A clear violation of residency rules is equivalent to a penalty of another year, said the source. This would prevent Slaughter, who led UV to four straight championships, from joining the Eagles in their quest for a four-peat feat this year.

Palou explained in last Tuesday’s PSA Forum that Slaughter should be exempted because he played for flag and country.

The eligibility committee chaired by UP Dean Lailani Gonzalo will approve with finality all the players who would be allowed or disallowed to play in Season 74 in a meeting on June 28.

The said committee is also expected to tackle National U’s celebrated Fil-Am rookie Bobby “Ray Ray” Parks, Jr.’s status.

The board, incidentally, is also composed of representatives from UP, La Salle, Far Eastern U, Adamson and Ateneo. But Ateneo would have to inhibit itself should the Slaughter case be brought up.

The full board, composed of school heads and representatives, will then approve everything on July 5, four days before the UAAP cage wars unfurls at the Araneta Coliseum.